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 I
remember Vacation Bible Schools among churches of Christ in the
late 1930s, early ‘40s. Apparently they were prompted by a
desire for better Bible teaching programs, and perhaps by the
then popular denominational “youth campaigns.” Through the
years we have seen them vary from earlier “Bible Readings”
to little more than youth social events, but their effect upon
today’s church is worth studying.
The
“Bible Readings” of E.M. Zerr and others were survey courses
lasting weeks, and covering the whole Bible, or special studies
in certain books. Some considered them Sommer’s answer to the
“Bible College.” They were, however, useful concentrated
studies that could well be repeated today, with competent
teachers.
Jessie
Sewell and other educators led the way in “teacher training”
sessions, and began to promote use of visual aids, object
lessons, etc., in Bible teaching. The good of this was
somewhat dimmed by “whole man” secular educational
principles; and VBS offered a less-restricted stage for a social
atmosphere. “Object lessons” are Biblical (Ezek. 4:1-f.),
but their abuse led to “Arts and Crafts” classes, and in
many cases Bible teaching purposes were overshadowed by “homemaking”
“social gospel” goals.
The
“numbers game” entered the picture — and churches competed
for records rather than souls. Refreshments, recreation, and a
general party atmosphere became common in VB Schools. I believe
VBS, misguided and abused, hastened the development of baby
sitting nurseries for working mothers, and contributed greatly
to social gospel developments in
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churches today.
But
the picture is, not all bad. A spin-off of better trained
teachers and improved teaching methods is evident. Much has been
learned about grading material in keeping with the capacities of
students. We began to make a more total use of building
facilities. Too, a reaction or “backlash” to the far-out
social developments — while leading some churches into a “shell”
— has focused attention upon more serious aspects of Bible
teaching, and a conscientious avoidance of abuses. It is the
hard way, but we learn by our mistakes.
Today’s
VBS (or “Summer School”) could be carefully planned training
courses in O.T. and N.T. surveys, doctrinal studies (Calvinism,
etc.), first-principle classes for new converts or personal
workers, “Training for Public Service” (song-leading,
teaching, etc.), with Bible history, geography, character
studies, and the like, for the younger set. There is a grave
need for classes in “How to Study” and the use of study
tools.
Serious,
scriptural goals for VBS will not be reached simply by buying
expensive “kits” from publishers. The best “material” in
the world — written by the Holy Spirit — needs teaching, and
that requires studious conscientious teachers who know the
material, know the students, and have given prayerful thought to
means of imparting information and affecting the lives of those
students. VBS is what we make it — a service for the Lord, or
a sinful waste of time and money.
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